Midfielders David Mundy (ankle) and Anthony Morabito (quad) are unlikely to feature, with the pair more of a chance to play in the WAFL if club medicos deem they are match-ready.

Pavlich said it was up to the likes of Nat Fyfe, Stephen Hill and Hayden Ballantyne to step up in the absence of Mundy and Morabito.

"Ross (Lyon) has been on record as saying they've done their apprenticeship and it's now time for them to become elite players of the competition," Pavlich said.

"Not only do we think they can, they themselves believe they have the capacity to do so.

"All of them have had particularly good pre-seasons, particularly Hayden and Stephen.

"We're hoping these guys can become the players that we believe they can."

Although experienced Geelong quartet Cameron Mooney, Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn and Brad Ottens retired at the end of last year, Pavlich said the defending premiers still possessed plenty of weapons.

"It gives young players opportunity," Pavlich said.

"That opportunity, particularly in a side that's had so much success for so long, means that they'll stand up and take their opportunity.

"(Daniel) Menzel, (Allen) Christensen and a couple of other guys had that opportunity with Chris Scott coming in last year, so it probably opens up the door for another young talented guy to step up into a Cameron Ling's position, or Cameron Mooney's position."